Inked Persuasion (Montgomery Ink Fort Collins #1) - Carrie Ann Ryan Page 0,74
I was feeling. I was good at making plans and following through. And putting one foot in front of the other to fight for what I believed in.
That didn’t mean I knew what I felt.
I let out a breath and turned down the street to where the Montgomery Builders offices were located. I didn’t know if she would forgive me, but I at least needed to apologize. I had to try. There didn’t seem to be anybody in the parking lot as I pulled in, and then my heart burst as I noticed the two cars left.
Annabelle’s car, and another one, a very familiar sedan, crashed into the side of Annabelle’s.
“Fuck,” I muttered, and turned sharply, the sound of burning rubber loud as I nearly went on two wheels to get into the parking lot. I left the car running, barely remembered to put it into park and jumped out of my vehicle.
“Annabelle! Annabelle!”
I tried my best not to think about whose car was right in front of me. The one that had smashed into the driver’s side of Annabelle’s. The door was closed, and I couldn’t see Annabelle anywhere.
“Annabelle!”
“Jacob?” a soft voice said from behind me, the voice filled with fear.
I clenched my fists and turned to face my ex-wife, who sat in her car, blood pouring out of a cut on her forehead, the airbag now deflated. There was glass all over the ground, and she looked to be in pain, but I wasn’t sure where else she might be hurt.
But why the fuck was my ex-wife in this parking lot? Why had she hit Annabelle’s car?
And where was Annabelle?
“What did you do?” I growled before I went to my knees beside her. She had another gash on her leg, and her knee was swelling. I cursed. “What happened?” I rasped.
“I got caught up in it. I didn’t mean to. I was just supposed to scare her. Or get her to him. I don’t remember.”
My blood chilled. “Explain to me what the fuck you’re talking about.”
Another car pulled in beside me, its tires screeching, and then Beckett was shouting, another voice joining his.
“Annabelle!” Beckett yelled.
“I’m calling 911,” the other voice said, and I finally recognized it as Clay’s.
“What the hell?” Beckett asked as he came to my side.
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” I growled.
Susan met my gaze, her eyes a little unfocused. Shit. She had a concussion. I once thought I loved this woman. But if she had something to do with Annabelle being hurt, if Annabelle was being hurt, I didn’t know what I’d do.
“Talk to me,” I ordered.
Susan swallowed hard. “I missed you. I just wanted to see you.”
“Who the hell is this?” Beckett asked, the anger in his tone palpable.
“My ex-wife,” I gritted out.
“Where the fuck is Annabelle?” Beckett asked, nearly pushing me out of the doorway. I wasn’t quite sure what Annabelle’s brother would do to Susan, and I didn’t need Beckett to end up with an assault charge or worse. So I stood my ground. But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t potentially throttle this woman to get answers. I let out a breath and glared.
“Answer,” I ordered.
She met my gaze, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I was only supposed to surprise her so he could come and get her. I think. But then I saw her, and I just got so angry. I didn’t even realize what I was doing.” She let out a shaky breath. “My head hurts. But I didn’t mean to. I don’t think she’s hurt. I didn’t hit her with the car. She got hurt when she fell. She moved out of the way when I came at her. But then he took her. Jacob, everything hurts. Help me.”
My hands were shaking, and I stood up, pushing Beckett slightly back. “Who took her?” I asked, my words clipped.
“What the hell is going on?” Beckett asked, his voice lower than even mine.
“Your neighbor. Hotch. We met when I came to visit you one day, and you weren’t there. He was such a nice man. Said he was upset that you were dating his girlfriend, that you just took her. I didn’t think that was right, but then I wanted you back, too, and it seemed like we had a common goal. I didn’t know he planned to hurt her. And I don’t know why I did what I did. I just got caught up in it all. It was a stupid mistake. Please don’t call the cops.”